Some new faces joined some old friends at the Gainesville Target Range for a weekend of Marksmanship and Heritage. Some great weather made for a pleasant day at the range and the marksmanship did improve greatly. The terms Six Steps, Steady Hold Factors, and NPOA were used early and often as the fire hose of information was turned loose. Some unusual rifle problems were encountered and fixed when possible or a loaner rifle was provided. After trying unsuccessfully to sight in a brand new Marlin LTR by both student and instructor it was found that the front sight was improperly fitted and the rear sight just did not have enough adjustment in it to get the rifle zeroed. The improvement after a rifle switch was remarkable! Janel and David showed us that perseverance does pay dividends and both went on to great improvement once their rifle issues were sorted out. Frank was giving it a great effort with iron sights while Jean was not to be denied a Rifleman patch this time out. After coming within one measly point of a Rifleman score at the last Gainesville event, she was determined not to suffer that heartbreak again. By the end of the weekend she had produced multiple solid Rifleman scores and took home the coveted title of Rifle(wo)man. Huzzah, Jean! Our young Patriot, Brandon, was an inspiration as he kept a great attitude and wonderful discipline while getting much much better with a rifle. Don and Nicholas, who could only stay for one day, will surely be back as they have truly started down the path of the Rifleman. Roy, time in the living room doing dry practice will make those positions, well, not exactly comfortable but certainly more tolerable. Believe me, we have all been there and you hung in there longer than most. Logan, you were a delight to work with and the Marine Corps will be getting a good man when you join them. I do hope you can join us again, somewhere, sometime before you enlist. As usual, the weekend made me proud to be an American and grateful that we have such an awesome heritage. It was an honor and privilege to share that remarkable story with such fine fellow Americans. Much credit is given to the great instructors who came out to help: Rambo Granny (Janet), Minutemom (Chris), Smoak (Smoak), Ridefun2 (Evan), and Micah (Micah). You guys rock!
My picture taking performance was typically lacking but fortunately, Rambo Granny stepped up and snapped a few. If you took photos, please share them and offer your comments as they will be most welcome.
A resounding HUZZAH! to our newest rifleman, Jean, who did what she needed to do between shoots to walk away with the coveted patch this time out! Persistence does pay off. I was so impressed by the improvements made by all over the course of the weekend! Logan, dry fire practice at home and keep working on relaxing into your NPOA, and you will be sure to join the ranks the next time around. Roy, your good humor and patience were a joy to behold and I enjoyed working with you so much. You are a real trooper! David and Janel, despite equipment difficulties from the beginning, you hung in there and finished out the weekend strong! Janel, I think you definitely qualify for most improved shooter for the weekend! Keep up the good work and you will be a riflewoman in no time! Don and Nick, it was great having you on the line for the first day - hopefully next time you will be able to show us you stuff on both days. It was a pleasure working with you both. Frank, the jolly doughnut man, you had me in stitches for a good part of the weekend! You shot amazingly well with iron sights, and you inspired me to aspire to the same goal. Brandon, a true young patriot, the progress you have made since the last shoot is remarkable. I have no doubt that with a rifle of your own and some dry fire practice, you will quickly be outshooting me :). Thank you to all the students, and to Bruce, Janet, Smoak, Micah, and Evan for making my my first shoot as an instructor one that I will always remember! People like all of you are what it is all about, and I had more fun than anyone should be allowed to have ;D.
I can't wait to see you all on the range again!
Chris
;D ;D ;D
fisherdawg
Quote from: Minutemom on March 24, 2014, 05:07:54 PM
A resounding HUZZAH! to our newest rifleman, Jean, who did what she needed to do between shoots to walk away with the coveted patch this time out! Persistence does pay off. I was so impressed by the improvements made by all over the course of the weekend! Logan, dry fire practice at home and keep working on relaxing into your NPOA, and you will be sure to join the ranks the next time around. Roy, your good humor and patience were a joy to behold and I enjoyed working with you so much. You are a real trooper! David and Janel, despite equipment difficulties from the beginning, you hung in there and finished out the weekend strong! Janel, I think you definitely qualify for most improved shooter for the weekend! Keep up the good work and you will be a riflewoman in no time! Don and Nick, it was great having you on the line for the first day - hopefully next time you will be able to show us you stuff on both days. It was a pleasure working with you both. Frank, the jolly doughnut man, you had me in stitches for a good part of the weekend! You shot amazingly well with iron sights, and you inspired me to aspire to the same goal. Brandon, a true young patriot, the progress you have made since the last shoot is remarkable. I have no doubt that with a rifle of your own and some dry fire practice, you will quickly be outshooting me :). Thank you to all the students, and to Bruce, Janet, Smoak, Micah, and Evan for making my my first shoot as an instructor one that I will always remember! People like all of you are what it is all about, and I had more fun than anyone should be allowed to have ;D.
I can't wait to see you all on the range again!
Chris
Fisherdawg, you know that you are one of the reasons why I was where I was this weekend ;)
Hopefully I'll get to give you a big hug in person one day!
Chris
It was a great shoot as always at GTR. I finally remembered to bring my camera and caught a few good shots from the weekend:
(http://i.imgur.com/pcLYZTh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/enhfJ4w.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IMtHf52.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RRXv4Yn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CR8wW9i.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mbPsgat.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0CGkCRb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rvXyRRM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/unKuoMF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WcjOPBE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oSYk2c7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sw42gu7.jpg)
Right back at ya' my friend.
;D
Quote from: Minutemom on March 24, 2014, 08:12:48 PM
Fisherdawg, you know that you are one of the reasons why I was where I was this weekend ;)
Hopefully I'll get to give you a big hug in person one day!
Chris